yay, i am so happy for you, dawn! it's about time things started going your way, my sista. you are long overdue in my book, for a big piece of good news like this one!

you have handled yourself with tremendous grace in a time of great pain and sorrow. look at how much has been taken from you, in your young life. yet we never, ever hear you complain (well, hardly ever!). and you are always reaching out to others who are suffering. helping hands, yours.

you deserve this, and i am so glad that the judge saw things clearly. right on!...

mark, you just hold your cool, man. don't go in there with a chip on your shoulder and things will go your way, too. i just know it. dress casual but pressed, if you know what i mean. maybe go over some of tam's posts about demeanor in court - she's got some valuable insight i think.

you don't want to show too much disdain for the medical or the legal establishments (even though they may deserve it, behavior-wise, in your case...). judges don't like that. be VERY respectful of his courtroom, of the process and of him.

now, i'm not saying to kiss his you-know-what, far from it...

just let the evidence speak for itself. don't be reactive as to the testimony "against" you (the judge is a smart guy and will be able to see right through that junk, believe me!). and be the stand-up guy that you are. like dawn said, you are one of the GOOD GUYS, mark. you will prevail in this, of that i have no doubt.

but unfortunately, there ARE a lot of people who abuse the system and a lot of "whores" (doctors/judges/lawyers alike, i'm afraid) whose bread 'n butter is to work in it and to "work it," and work it they do...

and that may be why your particular judge has the rep that he does, for being tough, or jaded, or whatever. but you just go in there and let that man see who mark is, what you are made of and the kind of man that YOU are...

your work injury and your ensuing disability are legitimate and it's all gonna be good. you're not out to "take" anyone. just want what's right. and we all want that for you, too. don't ever forget, not even for an instant, that we are behind you, mark.

sorry, dawn, don't mean to hijack your thread. i just know that mark is a bit nervous about his ALJ hearing next week, understandably so...

here's hoping we have 2 well-deserved victories to celebrate this time sat. next in that department!!!

congratulations, again, dawn. i am really so thrilled for you.

alison